Victor Glemaud’s New Line, a Promotion at Sachin & Babi
VICTOR’S LAUNCH: Victor Glemaud We will launch a new HSN exclusive label, VG Victor Glemaud.
His knitwear is well-known, and the new size-inclusive collection will feature clothing in sizes XS-3X. This line includes knit sweaters, dresses and other pieces that enhance and move the body.
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“These are clothes that will bring people joy and put a smile on everyone’s face,” said Victor Glemaud. “That’s why it was important the new VG Victor Glemaud apparel line was accessible to all in order to spread joy to a wider audience — and HSN is the best partner to do that with.”
All prices for the launch collection are below $100 and feature bold colors, design elements like whipstitching stripes, polka dots, and color-blocked geometric patterns.
“We’re eager to introduce our customers to Victor and his signature knitwear styles via his HSN exclusive label, VG Victor Glemaud,” said Bridget Love, general merchandise manager and vice president merchandising at HSN. “Victor designs for all shapes and sizes with bold prints and figure-flattering silhouettes that will help our customers refresh their wardrobes for the new year.”
HSN.com will be selling the VG Victor Glemaud collection starting on Thursday. Glemaud will also launch the line live on HSN.com and on their streaming services on Saturday. Glemaud will be back in February with his second collection. It is an ongoing collaboration.
Glemaud, an American Haitian designer, launched his designer collection of statement knitwear in 2006. His collection is available at Saks Fifth Avenue’s Revolve, Farfetch and Intermix, as well as Shopbop.
In fall 2021, he had also a successful collaboration to Target. — LISA LOCKWOOD
TOP JOB Sachin & Babi has promoted Amy Riordan to chief executive officer, a new role at the womenswear brand, which is oriented toward evening, special occasion and bridalwear.
Riordan, who was previously head of marketing, will now oversee the strategic direction and work closely with Sachin Ahluwalia and Babi Ahluwalia, husband and wife, to grow the brand. The brand entered the bridal market last spring.
Said Sachin Ahluwalia, “Amy’s contribution as head of marketing has been invaluable in the growth of the brand, particularly in the revamp of our e-commerce site and the development of strategies to support the strategic vision of the company.”
A spokeswoman added, “The CEO position is a new role within Sachin & Babi. Prior to Amy’s appointment, Sachin Ahluwalia ran all affairs as president and cofounder. His responsibilities will continue with Amy taking on a larger role in defining and executing the strategic direction of the brand.”
Riordan joined Sachin & Babi in 2019 as senior vice president of marketing, e-commerce and wholesale. Earlier in her career, Riordan was chief experience officer for Curete, a luxury women’s apparel start-up, where she was responsible for brand architecture, brand messaging, voice and brand positioning by channel. Before that, she was with Crabtree & Evelyn, Undies.com and Tanner Companies. — DAVID MOIN
NEW YEAR, NEW JOBMerrell, the brand for outerwear performance and lifestyle, has appointed Jessica Adler vice-president of sales.
Adler will be responsible for Merrell’s U.S. wholesale strategy and join the brand’s senior leadership team, reporting to global brand president Chris Hufnagel.
“Jessica is a tremendous addition to the Merrell team. She brings a collaborative leadership approach and depth of retail experience that build strong customer partnerships and brand affinity and growth,” Hufnagel said. “Having a dynamic, accomplished leader like Jessica on our team will continue to help Merrell advance our vision for the brand and achieve our growth aspirations.”
Prior to joining Merrell, Adler spent 10 years in sales leadership roles with such brands as Levi, Strauss & Co., Psycho Bunny and Diesel USA. She was responsible for leading transformational and strategic initiatives.
“Merrell is an outdoor brand loved by millions of people, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce it to even more future fans. I’m inspired by the inclusive culture and the brand vision rooted in simply getting more people outside and enjoying nature,” Adler said. “A key part of helping the brand accomplish this goal is ensuring we sell where they love to shop so that no matter when or where people are ready to step outdoors, we are in the right channels with the right innovative products for their adventures.” — L.L.
FEET FIRST: Fit technology solution provider Volumental is rolling out a new self-service version of the company’s AI-powered foot scanners. The company said it is specifically designed “for a shopper-driven in-store experience, customers can take their own foot measurements at the click of a button and receive the best-fitting footwear recommendations on their phones, making it easy to select and buy shoes.”
Launch will begin sometime in this year with a beta testing with Under Armour in select sporting goods retail stores and outlets as well as brand houses and outlet shops.
Customers and retailers can both reap the benefits of the technology’s unique value proposition. To date, Volumental has scanned 36 million feet, and its data shows that foot scanning “improves the customer experience, with scanned shoppers purchasing at twice the rate of unscanned shoppers and generating 32.5 percent higher average transaction,” the company said in a statement, adding that the results also show a 25 percent reduction in returns.
Alper Aydemir, chief executive officer at Volumental, said the self-service scanners “will bring the same technology that specialty footwear retailers have enjoyed to many more retail segments.”
Aydemir said having worked with footwear retailers “across different store formats, service environments and staffing models, we realized the need for a self-service enabled shopping experience that is both innovative and easy to use for shoppers. This solution takes the guesswork out of the whole fitting experience and helps shoppers make smarter and faster purchase decisions with better-fit outcomes.”
Additionally, he said the personalized recommendations feature creates “a more engaging customer experience, allows retailers to manage inventory in a much smarter way and helps solve the issue of the huge returns facing the industry.”
According to the company, self-service scanners are going to be placed in co-branded areas in-store. “Touch screens will provide the customer with instructions on use as well as nearly instant personalized size recommendations on their perfect fitting brands and styles,” Volumental said. — ARTHUR ZACZKIEWICZ
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